San Francisco Conservatory of Music vs. Manhattan School of Music

Comparable Facts

Compare San Francisco Conservatory of Music in San Francisco, CA with Manhattan School of Music in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Manhattan School of Music is larger than San Francisco Conservatory of Music based on total student enrollment (1,084 students vs. 439 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Francisco Conservatory of Music is located in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting); Manhattan School of Music is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• San Francisco Conservatory of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Manhattan School of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Francisco Conservatory of Music 5:1; Manhattan School of Music 6:1.

San Francisco Conservatory of Music vs. Manhattan School of Music Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Francisco Conservatory of Music or Manhattan School of Music? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at San Francisco Conservatory of Music than Manhattan School of Music ($43,746 vs. $51,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Manhattan School of Music are 21.3% lower than at San Francisco Conservatory of Music ($18,050 vs. $22,930).
• Manhattan School of Music is 1.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Francisco Conservatory of Music (about $900 more per year; $57,050.00 vs. $56,150.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at Manhattan School of Music than at San Francisco Conservatory of Music (about $900 more per year; $57,050.00 vs. $56,150.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Francisco Conservatory of Music than at Manhattan School of Music (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Francisco Conservatory of Music students is 38.7% larger than aid received by Manhattan School of Music students ($36,052 vs. $26,001).

San Francisco Conservatory of Music vs. Manhattan School of Music Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Francisco Conservatory of Music or Manhattan School of Music? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Manhattan School of Music and San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Francisco Conservatory of Music - Test-free; Manhattan School of Music - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Francisco Conservatory of Music Dec 7, 2026; Manhattan School of Music Dec 1, 2026.
• San Francisco Conservatory of Music has a higher acceptance rate (54.9%) than Manhattan School of Music (40.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at San Francisco Conservatory of Music vs. 25.3% at Manhattan School of Music.

San Francisco Conservatory of Music vs. Manhattan School of Music Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Francisco Conservatory of Music and Manhattan School of Music? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Manhattan School of Music's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than San Francisco Conservatory of Music's (73%).
• Graduates from Manhattan School of Music earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than San Francisco Conservatory of Music graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,400 vs. $30,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Manhattan School of Music graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than San Francisco Conservatory of Music graduates ($23,750 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Manhattan School of Music graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Francisco Conservatory of Music graduates ($245 vs. $271).
• More San Francisco Conservatory of Music graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Manhattan School of Music students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 65%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.